DC Nightlife Noise

to promote the
enforcement of DC’s Noise Ordinance for nightlcubs

Press Release Mar 26, 2014

CM Orange Witnesses Noise from Dupont Circle Clubs

DC Nightlife Noise Coalition

Contact Sarah Peck: 443-240-4435

On Saturday March 22, Councilmember Vincent Orange -- keeping a
commitment to see-for-himself the noise problems Dupont Circle
residents have brought to his attention -- accompanied members of the
DC Nightlife Noise Coalition on a midnight tour of clubs south of the
Circle, also known as Club Central.

Unfortunately, Councilmember Orange observed the full range of noise
problems during his visit. Starting in the alley behind Rosebar (which
runs parallel to Connecticut Avenue) the Councilmember observed
readings of 89 decibels, eight times the legal limit, on a meter
supplied by the DC Government. In response, Councilmember Orange
expressed concern that the noise would have a negative impact on future
residents of the condominiums under construction on N Street opposite
the alley.

Next, the group stood on the roofdeck of Jefferson Row (on Jefferson
Place between Connecticut and 19th Street), where Councilmember Orange
had a chance to see – and hear – the roof deck operations of several
area establishments. Public Bar’s music was clearly audible 150
feet away, while another dance club, Ozio, was controlling the music
from its open roof and was inaudible at that distance. At that
point, a Jefferson Row resident told the Councilmember that ABRA
inspectors say they can do nothing about the noise in response to
residents’ complaints.

Orange then passed Heist, its door wide open and belting out music,
despite repeated requests from residents to keep the door shut.
Just above Heist, another club is under construction that will have
outdoor operations, prompting a resident, Tom McMahon, to express deep
concern to Councilmember Orange about the added noise. He urged
the Councilmember to look into the license, noting “the city should not
be issuing licenses for summer garden endorsements that will violate
the DC Noise Control Act when operated as proposed.”

The group also witnessed dripping water, piles of trash, and seemingly
unsanitary conditions in the alley behind Public Bar and 18th Street
Lounge.

Sarah Peck, a Coalition leader, summed up the visit: “We were impressed
and grateful that Councilmember Orange came to our neighborhood at
midnight to directly experience the club noise problem. It was clear
from the tour that ABRA’s Noise Task Force has had no effect on the
unlawful noise levels that make life miserable for Club Central
residents. As the chair of the Council committee that oversees
ABRA, we will work with him to rattle a few cages in ABRA and solve
this problem.”